"Hydrogen is valuable because it can be used as a 'clean' fuel, but the demand for synthetic oxygen is not commensurate," Holewinski said.
His research involves developing suitable catalysts to replace the oxygen-making reaction with one that creates high-value chemical, such as plant-based building blocks used in plastics. Another line of research is "rewiring" oxidation catalysts to turn water into hydrogen peroxide, which is later used in various chemical syntheses, as well as water treatment and bleaching in the pulp and paper industry.
Overall, Holewinski says his research could reduce emissions from the manufacturing of chemical products. The more efficiently the job can be done with less infrastructure, such as requiring fewer solar panels to generate electricity, the closer his research is to competitively create alternatives to fossil fuels.
But, he says, his research is a long way from producing results that will improve the lives of ordinary people.
"It would be very unrealistic to say I'm going to go somewhere for five months and launch a commercial product that's going to change the world," Holewinski said. "The realistic hope is that we can bring some new methods and techniques to my research group so that we can elevate the work we are doing."
ECHEMI --- The name originated from the abbreviation of “E-commerce of chemical”.
ECHEMI is a chemical supply chain service company headquartered in Hong Kong, providing chemical raw materials supply, research and analysis marketing, distribution, logistics, e-commerce, and after-sales services.
